Our Officers Thought The Driver Of The Vehicle Carrying Slain Oyo WAEC Student Was A Kidnapper – Police

………….Says Officers Involved Have Been Arrested

The Oyo State Police Command has said that its officers thought the driver of the vehicle carrying 14-year-old Kehinde Alade was a kidnapper.

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Osifeso Adewale, explained that an enforcement team comprising officers of the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA) and the Police attempted to stop a black Honda Accord with registration number LAGOS FST 639 JJ, driven by Kehinde’s father, Odunayo Alade.

The police said the vehicle was flagged for driving against traffic at around 7:45 a.m. near the Airport Roundabout along the Alakia-Adelubi/Airport Road in Egbeda Local Government Area.

Despite being lawfully ordered to stop, Mr. Alade allegedly ignored the directive.

“Rather than complying with lawful directives, the driver allegedly accelerated towards the enforcement team in an attempt to evade arrest, ramming into two OYTMA vehicles and a Police Buffalo Patrol truck,” the statement said.

According to CSP Osifeso, barricades were then set up to halt the fleeing vehicle, but the driver reportedly broke through them and continued driving recklessly, putting lives at risk.

“Given the nature of the driver’s conduct, officers suspected possible criminal activity or a case of abduction. A police chase ensued.

In an attempt to immobilise the vehicle, a police corporal discharged a firearm aimed at the tyres.

“Tragically, the bullet missed and struck Kehinde Alade, who was seated in the rear seat behind the driver. He was immediately rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he was confirmed dead on arrival,” Osifeso stated.

The teenager’s body was subsequently deposited at Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Adenola, deployed tactical and intelligence teams, including the Police Mobile Force, to the area and other strategic points in Ibadan to maintain peace and order.

“This swift response restored calm, ensured public safety, and allowed for normal activities to resume,” Osifeso added.

The Commissioner has ordered a full investigation into the incident to be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

The officer who discharged the fatal shot has been taken into custody, along with other members of the enforcement team, and they are cooperating fully with investigators.

The Command has pledged transparency in the investigation and promised to make its findings public.

It also extended condolences to Kehinde Alade’s family and reaffirmed its commitment to justice and accountability.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State House of Assembly commenced its Tuesday plenary session with a tribute to the late student and called for a thorough probe into the shooting.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin expressed the legislature’s grief over the loss.

“We began today’s plenary session on a somber note, paying tribute to a young student who lost his life to a stray bullet allegedly from a police officer,” he wrote.

“In a Matter of Urgent Public Importance, we sympathised with the family of the boy and urged the Police authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice is served.

“There was an appeal to the Inspector General of Police to issue clear directives prohibiting reckless use of firearms in public places, and to ensure officers undergo regular training in responsible crowd and suspect management.”

The incident continues to draw widespread condemnation, with demands for justice and calls for reforms in policing tactics and public safety protocols.